Multiscalar perspectives on Holocene climatic and environmental changes in the Sahara and Nile Corridor, with special consideration of archaeological sites on Sai Island, Sudan
Chapter
Publication Date:
2018
Short description:
Multiscalar perspectives on Holocene climatic and environmental changes in the Sahara and Nile Corridor, with special consideration of archaeological sites on Sai Island, Sudan / Hildebrand, E., Garcea, E.A.A., Florenzano, A., Mercuri, A.M. - In: Plants and People in African Past: Progress in African Archaeobotany / [a cura di] A.M. Mercuri, C. D'Andrea, R. Fornaciari, A. Höhn. - [s.l] : Springer, 2018. - ISBN 9783319898384. - pp. 215-245 [10.1007/978-3-319-89839-1_12]
abstract:
This multiscalar study explores Holocene environmental changes
across the Sahara, within the eastern Sahara, and along the Nile in northern Sudan.
The Early Holocene saw increased moisture across most parts of northern Africa
after c. 10,000 BC, with peak humid conditions 7800–7000 BC. A short but
significant dry interval after c. 7000 BC was followed by wetter conditions around
6000 BC, and then a gradual aridification from 5000 BC. The latter dry phase has
continued until present times. The exceptional environments near the Nile are
known to have seen impressive variations as climate oscillations and flora left
traces in the palaeobotanical record. Multidisciplinary archaeological studies in
this area—including analysis of plant macroremains—have focused on the
transitions from hunting-fishing-gathering (Khartoum Variant) to pastoralism
(Abkan) and later to agro-pastoralism (Pre-Kerma). The palynological data from
four Sai Island sites (8-B-10C, 8-B-76, 8-B-81, and 8-B-10A) and the nearby
mainland site of Amara West (2-R-66) provide new perspectives on local environmental
shifts during this time of profound economic and social change.
Despite poor pollen preservation, the high number of samples enables comparisons
that show both diachronic changes and synchronic variation. Since the
earliest phases, pollen spectra reflect mixed flora from various habitats and some
seasonal variability. During the Early Holocene and the initial part of the Middle
Holocene, dramatic floods on Sai’s east side and seasonal desiccation on Sai’s
west side together created an ecological mosaic that exposed people to several
different habitat types within a short distance. These included swamps and marshes,
wooded savannas, grasslands and desert savanna, providing access to plants
used for food, medicine, and other purposes. Documenting localized patterns of
vegetation variation and change can lay important groundwork for explaining
changes in subsistence and social organization.
across the Sahara, within the eastern Sahara, and along the Nile in northern Sudan.
The Early Holocene saw increased moisture across most parts of northern Africa
after c. 10,000 BC, with peak humid conditions 7800–7000 BC. A short but
significant dry interval after c. 7000 BC was followed by wetter conditions around
6000 BC, and then a gradual aridification from 5000 BC. The latter dry phase has
continued until present times. The exceptional environments near the Nile are
known to have seen impressive variations as climate oscillations and flora left
traces in the palaeobotanical record. Multidisciplinary archaeological studies in
this area—including analysis of plant macroremains—have focused on the
transitions from hunting-fishing-gathering (Khartoum Variant) to pastoralism
(Abkan) and later to agro-pastoralism (Pre-Kerma). The palynological data from
four Sai Island sites (8-B-10C, 8-B-76, 8-B-81, and 8-B-10A) and the nearby
mainland site of Amara West (2-R-66) provide new perspectives on local environmental
shifts during this time of profound economic and social change.
Despite poor pollen preservation, the high number of samples enables comparisons
that show both diachronic changes and synchronic variation. Since the
earliest phases, pollen spectra reflect mixed flora from various habitats and some
seasonal variability. During the Early Holocene and the initial part of the Middle
Holocene, dramatic floods on Sai’s east side and seasonal desiccation on Sai’s
west side together created an ecological mosaic that exposed people to several
different habitat types within a short distance. These included swamps and marshes,
wooded savannas, grasslands and desert savanna, providing access to plants
used for food, medicine, and other purposes. Documenting localized patterns of
vegetation variation and change can lay important groundwork for explaining
changes in subsistence and social organization.
Iris type:
Capitolo/Saggio
Keywords:
Eastern Sahara, Nile, Palaeoenvironment, Pollen, Sudan, Upper Nubia, Sai Island
List of contributors:
Hildebrand, E.; Garcea, E. A. A.; Florenzano, A.; Mercuri, A. M.
Book title:
Plants and People in African Past: Progress in African Archaeobotany